Why Buckeye
Buckeye is an expansive municipality in Maricopa County, Arizona, situated in the Buckeye Valley approximately 30 miles west of downtown Phoenix. Serving as the westernmost suburb of the Phoenix metropolitan area, it ranks as Arizona's second-largest city by land area, covering roughly 393 square miles. The city experienced rapid residential expansion in the early 21st century, growing from a population of 6,537 in 2000 to over 91,000 residents by the 2020 census, earning recognition as one of the fastest-growing cities in the United States.
The region was originally inhabited by the ancient Hohokam culture. In 1877, a group of settlers led by Thomas Newt Clanton migrated from Iowa to establish a homestead in the area. Local development expanded between 1884 and 1886 when early settler Malie M. Jackson constructed a 10-mile irrigation canal, naming it after his home state of Ohio's nickname. Although the settlement was established in 1888 under the name Sidney, the importance of the canal led locals to call the community Buckeye. The town officially adopted the name Buckeye in 1910, incorporated in 1929 across 440 acres, and formally achieved city status in 2014.
Geographically, the city limits extend 30 miles north and 16 miles south of the original town site. The Gila River flows westward through the valley south of the city center, while the Hassayampa River runs southward through the northern section. Notable natural features within or bounding the city include the White Tank Mountains to the north, as well as the Buckeye Hills, Little Rainbow Valley, and Margies Peak to the south. Buckeye features a hot desert climate within the Sonoran Desert, characterized by abundant sunshine, summer afternoons regularly exceeding 100 degrees Fahrenheit, occasional summer monsoon weather, and warm winter days with cool mornings.
The area's original commercial hub developed around Monroe Avenue, while Watson Road now serves as the modern commercial corridor. Residential communities encompass various master-planned developments, including Verrado, Sundance, Tartesso, and Festival Ranch. For outdoor recreation, visitors can explore Skyline Regional Park, an 8,700-acre preserve in the southern White Tank Mountains featuring picnic areas, camping, and nearly 20 miles of trails for hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding. Additionally, Buckeye Hills Regional Park is located seven miles south of the central district along State Route 85.
Buckeye is accessible by several major roadways, including Interstate 10 passing through its central region, Arizona State Route 85, Sun Valley Parkway, and Maricopa County Road 85. Public transportation is provided by Valley Metro bus services connecting to Phoenix and surrounding communities. Aviation infrastructure includes the city-owned Buckeye Municipal Airport, while regional rail lines are operated by Union Pacific Railroad.
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